Celebrating Two Decades of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award

Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) has unveiled the winners of its significant 20th edition (2025–2026). This year marks two decades since the award's inception in 2006, celebrating a journey of cultural enrichment.

Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, this award stands as a vital global platform for knowledge, creativity, and cultural interchange.

20 Years of Cultural Significance

Over the past two decades, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has emerged as one of the world’s most esteemed literary accolades. Receiving over 33,000 nominations from approximately 80 countries, the award has recognized 136 individuals, including authors and cultural organizations.

The award encompasses ten categories, ranging from literature and translation to children’s books, exemplifying its widening influence.

Since 2018, the award has also enabled the translation of 50 Arabic texts into 12 languages, enabling Arabic literature to resonate with diverse audiences, thereby enhancing cultural conversations.

Selection Process Upholding Standards

Winners undergo a rigorous selection process involving multiple stages and criteria, ensuring high standards of originality and scholarly quality, thus bolstering the integrity of the award.

Recognizing 2025–2026 Winners

This year's honored winners hail from a rich tapestry of cultural backgrounds, including Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Germany, Jordan, and the UAE.

• Literature: Ashraf Elashmawy (Egypt) for Births in the Zoo, which delves into modern Egypt's social and psychological changes.

• Young Author: Mustapha Rajouane (Morocco) for his analysis of narrative structures in Arabic literature.

• Translation: Nawal Nasrallah (Iraq/USA) for her translation of a historical Arabic culinary manuscript into English.

• Literary & Art Criticism: Zuhair Tawfiq (Jordan) for his study on cultural stereotypes across East and West.

• Arab Culture in Other Languages: Stefan Weidner (Germany) for his anthology of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry in German.

• Publishing & Technology: Emirates Literature Foundation for its efforts in promoting literary culture worldwide.

• Manuscripts & Encyclopaedias: Prof. Dr Mohamed Elkhosht (Egypt) for his extensive Encyclopaedia of World Religions.

Cultural Personality of the Year

The esteemed Cultural Personality of the Year award went to renowned Egyptian singer Nagat Al Saghira. With her timeless voice and emotive performances, she has significantly contributed to the preservation and promotion of classical Arabic music.

Recognition Ceremony

The winners will be celebrated during an official ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

• The Cultural Personality receives AED 1 million.

• Winners in other categories will be awarded AED 750,000 along with a gold medal and certificate.

In honor of its 20th anniversary, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award plans a series of global cultural events throughout 2026 to highlight its legacy and further promote Arabic literature worldwide.

With over 4,000 nominations from 74 countries this year, the award continues to serve as a powerful platform for creativity, knowledge exchange, and international cultural dialogue.